1. Egypt’s Red Sea Coast. Warm water and stunning marine life make a great combination underwater, while up on land the Red Sea coast boasts some of the most luxurious resort accommodation on the globe. Tropical fish and bright corals grace the waters just off Sharm El Sheik and Hurghada, along with the occasional manta ray. These magnificent, gentle animals can grow to a size of 25ft across. Pyramids and mummies one day, manta rays the next- that’s the foundation for the holiday of a lifetime.

2. Ningaloo World Heritage Area, Australia. Until recently, Ningaloo Reef remained largely unknown except to a few lucky locals. Because of its isolated position on Australia’s sparsely populated western coast, visitor numbers are still very low compared to the famous Great Barrier Reef in the east, but the Ningaloo area has just as much to offer, or more. There’s a pristine underwater environment and gorgeous white sand beaches without the crowds.

You can snorkel or dive amongst more than 400 species of fish and 250 types of coral, take a whale-watching tour, and even swim with the world’s largest fish. The whale shark can be anything up to 40ft long. A big specimen could have a gaping mouth 5ft wide, but rest assured. They are plankton feeders and have no interest in swallowing humans!

3. The Hawaiian Islands, USA. There are plenty of reasons to visit Hawaii. Sun, surf, and a party atmosphere are the first things most people think of when these islands come to mind but there’s also beautiful rainforest, active volcanoes, and exotic animals to see both on land and underwater. Hawaii relies heavily on the tourist industry so it can be crowded, but high visitor numbers also mean outstanding facilities. Expert instruction is very easy to come by. There is even a specially lit night diving site at Kailua Kona, and shark dive tours are very popular.

4. Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. If there is one place more relaxed than Hawaii, it’s Koh Phi Phi. From May to October underwater visibility can be stunning and the weather is almost sure to be warm and sunny. The waters (many of them shallow and beginner-friendly) are home to a brilliant assortment of tropical fish, or divers can visit the unique underwater tsunami memorial in Tonsai Bay. Accommodation can be very cheap and the local food is both tasty and easy on the budget.

5. Cocos Islands, Indian Ocean. This tiny archipelago might be a long way from anywhere, but it’s on the must-visit list for scuba divers around the world. The area is famous for huge schools of hammerhead sharks and humpback whales also make regular appearances. There are dolphins and a whole host of other large marine animals- sharks, rays, and all kinds of big fish.

There is no city on or anywhere near the Cocos Islands- nor even a town of any significant size- so if you want somewhere to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet along with world-class diving, this is a great place to go.

Jess Spate is a diver and a travel writer. She is a digital underwater video enthusiast and enjoys almost all ocean sports from surfing to snorkelling.

Photos courtesy of Mozaik Underwater Cameras

- If you are going on a package holiday to somewhere you have never previously visited then you really want to do a bit of investigating. With this type of holiday you will often be taking a bit of a gamble and if it turns out bad you are more or less stuck with it. You are less likely to have any nasty surprises if you do some research before you book.

- It can be a good idea to just book for the first night of your holiday if you are booking a hotel online. This means that you will have more choice because if you are unhappy with the hotel you can look for another place to stay but if you like it you can book in for the rest of your stay. It can be difficult to judge a hotel on the internet and it is far better to be booked into a dump for one night rather than the two weeks of your holiday. When you arrive in a place it is much easier to find a decent hotel.

- But always make sure that you at least have the first night booked somewhere. It is better to have somewhere to stay when you get to your destination. Plenty of people will be tired after travelling and the last thing on their mind will be heading out to look for somewhere to stay.

Today it has become a trend for more people to drive in their car over to their foreign holiday destination. Lots of individuals head straight to the south coast for the dover to calais ferry. Doing this takes away the worry of thinking about disneyland paris tickets. And what better way to get to France for some shopping? Don’t forget your European travel insurance.

The whole country of Mexico commemorates many special holidays and each of these major holidays falls under three separate categories. Holidays in Mexico are classified either as constitutional holidays, public holidays or festivities. Constitutional holidays are celebrated around the whole country while at the same time and any worker or learner is permitted to take day off and still get their normal pay. Public holidays are precisely the same as constitutional holidays with the exclusion that workers are not inevitably allowed to get a free day off from work. Every holiday that typically is commonly celebrated around the world such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and many others, will fall under the category of celebration.

It is a big underestimation to say that Mexico celebrates a lot of holidays during the year.In Mexico they commemorate so many different holidays all through the year, each with its own unique meaning. A number of of the more accepted constitutional holidays would be Ano Nuevo – this is the first day of the New Year. Then you have Dia de Indepencia, which is the commemoration of when the Independence War first happened. One of the most well known events in Mexico that is also celebrated in other countries by those of Mexican descent, is Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo is a well known event in Mexico that is even celebrated by Mexicans living in different countries.This holiday falls under the public holiday category. All Souls Day is another day that is a celebration of the lives of people that have passed away.The holidays mentioned above are just a small number of the many holidays celebrated all throughout Mexico.

Mexico is almost certainly hiding one of the best vacations or family trips that you have ever been on and it may just be the right time for your family to take advantage of that fact. Another great thing about Mexico is all of the other characteristics it has to offer. You and your family can enjoy a very relaxing holiday in many of the world class hotels Mexico has to offer.They also have stunning attractions such as pretty fabulous beaches. And Mexico is swarming with many different things to do. A trip to this incredible country is definitely a must. For very good holiday getaway strategies and price ranges checkout the deals with Skytours holidays or Monarch holidays and discover how very little it actually costs to get away.

The rich cooking traditions of Mexico is one reson for it being so popular as it has a big variety of dishes and drinks that are being prepared with a lot of ingredients.The flavor, smell and feel of these ingredients can attract even the most difficult palate. This is one of the reasons that Mexico is one of the most popular destinations when it comes to international cuisine.

With children of the age of 19, a travel insurance company will usually require some form of proof that they are a student.  They may ask for a photo id or a college student id.  It may be a student badge or a driver’s license.

They may also ask if the child is dependent upon what they call as the Eligible Participant.  This would be the person applying for the insurance. This is the case whether you are getting basic or adventure travel insurance.  If the child has a physical disability or is mentally retarded, the insurance company might require you to present a record from the physician stating that the child could not travel without the parent and so they ought to be covered in the policy.

They also sometimes have coverage for up to a month following the birth for a newborn.  It doesnt seem a common practice for a mother to go traveling as soon as the child is born.  Then, once the 31 days is up, you need to call them and re-add the child to your policy with new coverages.  They need to be enrolled as soon as they are born to be able to continue coverage on the child.  This doesn’t  seem very convenient for new parents, but again travel isnt the very first thing on a new mothers mind. 

Villa Joe Accommodation

Villa Joe is basically made of 2 hooked up buildings: a two storey and a single storey. The principle structure (two storeys) has one bed room upstairs (with personal en-suite), open model residing and eating area going through swimming pool, a residing area bathroom, and a totally geared up fashionable kitchen. The single storey is for bed room 2 and three; each are dealing with the swimming pool. Every bed room has a four poster bed with mosquito internet, a 32inch flat display TV, and a safety deposit box. The en-suite is completed with a terrazzo bathtub, his & her band basin and a rain shower.

Some sofa and chairs are placed on the residing area. A flat display screen 32 inch TV is positioned on the corner with some DVD collection. Dining desk seats for 8 persons are placed on the correct facet with kitchen on its behind. The kitchen itself is with brown marble island, modern stove, completed with cooking utensils.

The rectangular pool is situated right after the Balinese Angkul Angkul entrance gate. It’s a 10 X four meters. On its aspect is placed three pool chairs and a nice pool bale (gazebo) for massage. Next to the pool chairs can be placed outside dining desk seats for four persons.

Villa Joe is totally staffed and efficiently run by a House Manager with assist from a Housekeeper, Gardener/Pool Attendant and a Security staff to safeguard the property around the clock. A effectively trained prepare dinner is also available for the preparation of native and worldwide cuisine. A selection of menus is provided and this service is inclusive of all grocery shopping. All food preparation is finished in a separate moist kitchen and meals can be served in several spots all through the property.

In case you need 10 bedrooms, you could take Villa Joe together with Villa Sam (three bedrooms) and Villa Arwana (four bedrooms). All villas are located on same location and served by similar staff. Joe and Sam itself are mirrored villas with same character and style. Source: Villas in Bali

Propeller Island City Lodge, Berlin, Germany
A hotel full of weird themed rooms, the Propeller Island City Lodge of Berlin gives guests the chance to stay in a lion cages, in an upside-down room, on a pulley-adjustable bed, in a jail cell, or even in a vampire coffin. Guests enjoy the great location and overall ‘weirdness’ of Propeller Island while in Berlin.

Pendragon Hall, Hobart, Australia
Try dreaming peacefully in the Pendragon Hall Heritage Church of Hobart, Tasmania Australia. Spread out in the master bed under a stained glass ceiling of this historically and architecturally renowned 1852 church. The top location near Hobart’s best attractions make Pendragon weird and practical at once.

Woodlyn Park, Waitomo, New Zealand
To stay in Hobbit burrow, go no father than Woodlyn Park in New Zealand. Or, also at Woodland, stay in the Waitomo Express 1950’s rail car, the Vietnam era Bristol Freighter, or even the landlocked Waitanic Ship Motel. Swing by the Billy Black Kiwi Culture Show for informative Kiwi info.

Karostas Cietums, Karosta, Latvia
Live a night as a Soviet-era military prisoner at the Karostas Cietums former detention facility in Latvia. Toss and turn on a threadbare mattress, try the Soviet prison toilet seat, and enjoy the cold shower. Pay extra and the ‘guards’ will give the full prisoner experience. Also be sure to tour the grounds and visit the museum.

The Capsule Hotel, The Hague, Netherlands
Try a night in a floating, safety orange escape pod, and sleep in the waters of the Hague. These cramped quarters give the real experience of open sea survival, in only for the evening.

Jules Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida
Scuba dive down to the Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida, an operational underwater research facility turned weird hotel since 1986. Although underneath the Emerald Lagoon, guests have hot water, air-conditioning, a fully stocked galley, a TV, and DVDs.

PJ’s Underground, White Cliffs, Australia
In White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia, try sleeping underground, at PJ’s Underground Bed and Breakfast. Carved as opal mines, the caverns are now guest rooms and an underground cabin. A homemade Outback breakfast comes complimentary with a stay.

The Harbour Crane, Harlingen, Netherlands
Stay high above Harlingen, in the Harbour Crane hotel. Man the controls to change the view of this room for two, or simply see 360 degrees from up on the rooftop patio.